What's oldest Disney song?
The Walt Disney Company is a giant in the entertainment industry, with countless iconic songs and scores that have become household classics. But which is the oldest Disney song? The answer lies in a little-known tune that dates all the way back to the 1920s.
The song in question is "Alice Blue Gown," which was featured in the 1925 Disney short film, Alice Solves the Puzzle. The film was part of a series of shorts called the Alice Comedies, which starred a live-action girl named Alice and an animated cast of characters. The films were hugely popular at the time, and helped to establish Walt Disney as a major player in the animation world.
"Alice Blue Gown" was not originally written for the film - it was actually a popular song of the era, with lyrics by Joseph McCarthy and music by Harry Tierney. The song was first introduced in the 1919 Broadway musical, Irene, and quickly became a hit. It was covered by numerous artists in the years that followed, including crooner Frank Sinatra.
In Alice Solves the Puzzle, the song is sung by Margie Gay, who played the character of Alice. The animated characters in the film, including a group of dancing flowers, also join in the singing. The song's placement in the film is brief - it is used as part of a montage sequence that shows Alice exploring a garden and solving puzzles - but it is a memorable moment.
Despite its status as the oldest Disney song, "Alice Blue Gown" is not widely known or celebrated. It is not typically included in Disney song collections or performed at Disney theme parks. However, its place in Disney history is significant, as it represents one of the earliest instances of Disney blending live-action and animation on screen.
In addition to its place in Disney history, "Alice Blue Gown" has had a lasting impact on popular culture. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, and has been featured in films and television shows like Boardwalk Empire and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. It remains a beloved standard in the American songbook, and a testament to the enduring power of early 20th century music.
In conclusion, "Alice Blue Gown" may not be the most famous or celebrated Disney song, but it holds a special place in the company's history as the oldest song to be featured in a Disney production. Its use in Alice Solves the Puzzle helped to establish Disney as a pioneer in the use of animation in film, and its enduring popularity is a testament to the songwriting talent of Joseph McCarthy and Harry Tierney. Whether or not it will ever receive the same level of recognition as other Disney classics, "Alice Blue Gown" remains a charming and significant piece of musical history.